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Network Virtualisation and Cloud Computing — a nine-page graphs-intensive research mono-graph focusing on virtualisation of networking — has bagged computer science engineer Dharmesh Kakadia (23) first prize in a Cloud 20.20 online technical paper contest conducted by the Bangalore-based Unisys India Pvt. Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the US-based Unisys Corp. A first-generation science student of a Rajkot (Gujarat)-based socio-econo-mically disadvantaged family schooled in the Gujarati medium, Dharmesh pressed on to acquire a B.Tech in computer science from Gujarat’s Dharamsinh Desai (deemed) University, and is currently enroled in a Masters of Science (MS) programme at the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT)-Hyderabad. “The support of my parents, teachers and friends, and a little bit of luck have made this achievement possible,” he says.
After several rigorous rounds of evaluation, including a technical paper writing challenge, face-to-face interviews and final presentations, Dharmesh bested 3,000 entries from a record 2,400 engineering colleges including the premier Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs) to win an Apple MacBook laptop, internship and a job placement offer with Unisys.
An information technology heavy-weight offering a range of innovative IT services and solutions, Unisys India introduced the contest in 2009 to engage and encourage students in engineering colleges to explore the possibilities of cloud computing — a new technology for faster delivery of computing and storage services on the internet.
Dharmesh’s interest in computer science — ignited in his primary school years — developed into a strong passion thereafter despite limited access to a computer. It was only in his third year of undergrad studies when his proud parents gifted him a laptop that he was drawn to the concepts of networ-king and cloud computing. Moreover his arduous journey into the IT world was facilitated by school and college-level scholarships and fee waivers.
Convinced that “research facilities in India are currently on a par with international standards” and inspired by his success in the Unisys Cloud 20.20 technical paper contest, Dharmesh has set his heart on hard core research in cloud computing despite being offered an attractive job placement with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). “I strongly believe cloud computing has the potential to solve many of the development problems of rural and urban India. I am determined to show how,” says this determined go-getter.
Paromita Sengupta (Bangalore)
Peeyush Shah
Pune-based Peeyush Shah (14), a student of the city’s Vidya Bhavan School, has earned an entry in the Limca Book of Records 2011 for accumulating 12,000 erasers of all types, shapes and sizes. “I now want an entry into the Guinness World Records. But for that to happen, I have to break the record of a person who has 19,000 erasers,” says Peeyush, the youngest life member of the Inter-national Collectors Society of Rare Items (ICSRI).
Peeyush’s unique collection compr-ising classroom erasers of multiple sizes and shapes such as cartoons, alphabets, flags, guns, phones, footwear, etc, was deeply inspired by his numismatist father Kamlesh, a Pune-based entre-preneur. The elder Shah has been an avid collector of coins from countries around the world. “My father’s passionate pursuit of his hobby inspired me to do something similar. Right from my early years in school, I started buying different types of erasers. Gradually the collection began to grow and I became a member of the ICSRI which offered me a chance to display my then collection of 450 erasers when I was just seven years. The exhibition attracted more than 25,000 people, and that excited me so much, I decided to pursue this hobby in right earnest,” recalls Peeyush.
While most of the erasers have been bought from his pocket money, Peeyush’s collection has also grown rapidly through gifts from friends and well-wishers who have learned about his unconventional hobby. “Very often friends purchase erasers for Peeyush whenever they travel abroad,” says mother Arti, a home- maker. “I have always believed children should be encouraged to pursue such hobbies rather than become addicted to the internet or their cell phones,” she adds.
Academically gifted as well, Peeyush is an accomplished drummer and a regular performer at inter-school competitions. “We are lucky Peeyush has the right values. He is very religious and often interprets the teachings of the Jain dharma. Since he is mature, we have given him complete freedom to pursue his creative choices,” says his father.
On his part, Peeyush has his priorities right. “There’s enough time to give my career choice serious thought. Right now my focus is on getting into the Guinness World Records,” he says with youthful enthusiasm which ‘rubs’ off on you.
Huned Contractor (Pune)